I’m Leaving on a Jet Plane in May (A Tribute To LFN)

I am sitting, not so professionally, with my feet on my desk in my office. John Denver is singing in the background on my actual work computer, as I try to sort out the words I have to share about the one show that led me towards a role model, a hero. The show that would lead me to the life I led in my early adulthood, and the parts I would change forever.

…”La Femme Nikita, which is the one show that I consistently watched during my tour in Iraq. Makes sense, right? I am not sure if you heard of it, but it’s a show based off the original film by Luc Besson; operatives working for a counterterrorism secret organization. Watching this show on my downtime, all the while doing my part to fight against terrorism.”

That’s just an increment of how much this show means to me still today, which I wrote in a recent letter, but it goes deeper than that. If it wasn’t for the love of the show, I wouldn’t be one of the many young ladies looking up to ‘Nikita’ as a role model to be the bold and beautiful I am today. If it wasn’t for the love of the show, I also wouldn’t discover the gift of Roy Dupuis. If it wasn’t for the show, I wouldn’t have had a few good friends through the fan base. If it wasn’t for the love of the show, I wouldn’t have witness the heart of Alberta Watson. If it wasn’t for the love of the show, I wouldn’t have become the writer I am today with my fan fiction. If it wasn’t for the love of the show, I wouldn’t have made it through my tour in Iraq ten years ago. Two years ago, I met Roy. At the time, I figured it was the closest thing for me to get a small experience of the La Femme Nikita vibe. I was still going through some demons at the time as life started to transition away from my military life. All I thought was, “What is the harm of starting my civilian life by going to Montreal and meeting my hero?” I mean, I already met my childhood hero in August ’14, so why not continue to mark off the goals off of my bucket list. Even though I only got a few words in to the meeting, it changed my life forever. It was the boost I needed to set foot towards my next chapter in my life. Let go of the Army, embrace the person I was and continue to evolve into.

Fast forward two years. I don’t miss the military, I am seven credits away from graduating my second college degree (Visual Communications/Video Production), I have three books published, and the biggest announcement of all… the 20th Anniversary of La Femme Nikita’s first episode airing back in 1997. If that doesn’t make you feel old, this little fun fact will… I was TEN years old at the time! LOL!

For the 20th anniversary, there are these amazing four women (Jayne, Maria, Maxine, & Suse), who are the mastermind operatives that are putting a special reunion convention together for the fans, cast, and crew. My ass is going, so I GET TO WITNESS IT!! That is right, folks, I am leaving on a jet plane, returning to Canada, and reuniting with my friend, Maxine, in May and guess what, so far, the ladies have managed to put together an amazing panel, with more work up their sleeves. So far the ladies have booked Eugene Glazer, Roy Dupuis, Matthew Ferguson, Lawrence Bayne, and Doug MacRae!

Can you feel the excitement in my words?! LOL!

On a serious note, I wouldn’t doubt that if Don Franks and Alberta Watson was here with us, that they too would be hopping on the reunion train as well for the VIP Guest Panels for the convention in Toronto in May. All I know and want everyone to be reminded is, more likely, Don and Alberta are enjoying their own reunion party up above and smiling down on the cast and crew members who are taking their times in their busy lives to show the gratitude towards one of the best fan bases I have ever witnessed in my geeky life. I am sure they are also looking out for those four lovely ladies who continue to work very hard to making this reunion as complete as possible for us fans. These ladies and gentlemen are very loyal and keen on keeping the fandomnium alive. RIP Don and Alberta.

Last, but not least before I close this post, a little fun fact… The cool art piece featured in this blog was created by Doug MacRae aka KD Mack. He was the resident storyboard artist and later worked with the show’s writers coordinating the story department. Doug has personally given me permission to use his badass art piece he created for the 20th anniversary. This is no ordinary blog post. I want to give Doug a shout out for the assist on the art and the willingness to share it with the fans. Boom!

*drops mic*

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Published by H.M. Gautsch

I've been writing poetry and short stories since the age of 13. I've been blogging random shit since 2012. I also dab in photography and whatever artistry peeks my little heart at the time. I also use my artistry to advocate and be a voice for veterans who are MST and PTSD survivors and/or victims. I am currently learning the ropes of the film industry as well. Let's just say I am all over the place.
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